Western Quebec considers going underground at Wesdome

Drill results from the Wesdome gold project near Val d’Or warrant underground exploration, reports Toronto-based Western Quebec Mines (WQM-T).

Since April, the company (WQM) has drilled 73 surface holes totalling 28,600 metres as part of an ongoing $4.5-million exploration program at the wholly owned property, which lies under Lac de Montigny, north of McWatters Mining’s (MCW-T) Kiena gold mine.

Previous exploration by WQM and former partner Placer Dome identified 12 gold-bearing zones, of which four contain a total resource of 2.8 million tonnes grading 4.4 grams gold per tonne to a depth of 300 metres (T.N.M., May 25-31/98).

Current drilling is testing five zones: A, B, E, E3 and K. The company has focused chiefly on the A zone, which is now known to be more extensive than previously thought (the resource estimate stands at 1.1 million tonnes grading 4.12 grams gold). While most of the 43 holes planned for the A zone this year are infill and designed to confirm the structure’s continuity, some holes have extended the structure at depth. As well, 13 of the holes were extended from the A zone to the more steeply dipping B zone, situated north of A. Both the A and B zones remain open along strike and at depth.

In drilling the A zone, WQM has encountered a parallel zone that locally coalesces with the main structure to form areas of strong mineralization 10-20 metres wide. Drilling continues to target these areas, where the company has intersected 10.8 metres of 4.11 grams gold and 21 metres of 4.14 grams gold.

Meanwhile, the K zone, near the northern boundary of the Wesdome property, has been tested with 13 holes. Results indicate an east-westerly trending shear zone containing higher-grade shoots grading 13.7 grams gold over 3.9 metres, 4.43 grams over 2.5 metres, 4.73 grams over 2 metres, 4.36 grams over 2 metres, and 13.15 grams over 3.8 metres.

The 22 holes that were drilled into the parallel E and E3 zones indicate tonnages that could be developed by underground evalution. Highlights from drilling these targets include intersections of 4.6 grams gold over 13.9 metres, 5.04 grams over 3.7 metres, and 5.24 grams over 5.1 metres.

In addition to these known zones, WQM has drilled several intersections on the property that may yet prove to be significant gold-bearing zones.

In order to advance the project to the prefeasibility stage, WQM must carry out an underground exploration program. The company proposes to sink a 400-metre shaft, drive exploration drifts into the mineralized zones on at least two levels, and conduct underground drilling to establish grade, continuity and minability.

Toward this end, WQM has built a 5-km access road on the northern shore of Lac de Montigny, leading to a point where an ice bridge and a wharf-barge complex would provide access to an island, named No. 3, which lies close to the areas of greatest interest. A 600-metre exploration hole was recently completed on No. 3 for the purpose of rock mechanics and in preparation for shaft-sinking. Studies are also under way for site preparation, including the installation of a power line to the island and construction of discharge water ponds, waste and ore pads, and surface buildings. A consulting firm will obtain all environmental and mining permits required to proceed with the proposed work.